Question

Does my 5 year old Son have OCD, ADD, or some kind of anxiety??

Share

My Son is almost 5 years old and his teacher told me that other day that a doctor was monitoring one of the other kids in his pre-k class when she noticed my son's behavior. I was told that if he doesn't get his way he throws a little tantrum, if he can't complete his work to his liking he will continue doing the same problem over and over and not move on to his other work. I am starting to get concerned because I see at home that sometimes he has these same tantrums. He always tells me he can't do his homework or his homework isn't good enough. I don't know if maybe something could be wrong with him or if I'm just not strict enough with him or what. Any advice would be welcomed because for him to get tested is not covered by our insurance and just wondering if anyone else has a child that acts the same way?

Mom Answers

I am a school psychologist and I would recommend starting by asking the teacher what she is doing when these behaviors occur. I would also ask her what she is doing when he handles minor disappointments well. Before having a full evaluation conducted you may want to set up a behavior plan and a positive reinforcement system to see if you can fix the behaviors before looking into a diagnosis. School based counseling groups can focus on teaching children how to control their emotions related to academic work situations. He does not need to be "classified" or diagnosed to receive this. I would focus on rewarding him when he is able to calm down and turn a situation around. I would allow him to be a perfectionist for 2 tasks and then do not allow erasing on the next 2 tasks. Hope this helps... I see alot of children with these behaviors. In kindergarten maybe only 1 child per class having tantrums at this point in the year though. It should be addressed with a plan by the teacher.

Im a mother of a 5 year old boy who has a high functioning form of autism, OCD, and ADHD. Believe it or not most people cant tell, they think he is only being a brat (sometimes he is). We didnt tell his teachers just to see if they could pick up on it and they did. Pretty much the same problems... He is a VERY strong willed person, cant focus on anything unless he is moving, and must have things his way or he'll have a totally meltdown. He is above his peers in everything but speech (he talks like a 3 year old, people cant understand he but i can) and he still can't write his name..still not sure if he is a lefty or righty. Best thing to do is talk to his doctor about what you see in him and ask for a second opinion if need be. It took over 2 years to finally have him diagnosed...either way it's not the end of the world and im sure you love him just the same:)

My 10yr. old was disruptive in Kindergarten and after meeting with the teacher, I asked if they could evaluate him. It is free and should be offered by the school. The psycho-therapist watched him and talked with him for two weeks. Then I got a packet of results. I took them to a psychiatrist and he was put on meds. Two months later he was put in G.T. and is an honor roll student with impeccable behavior! He is now on Chess Team and won the school Spelling Bee. There is HOPE!

To gypsyfilly - I just need to add that you are so right - I am in my late 30's and have been diagnosed having OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder) - if I had known at an early age how to deal with this it would have made my life much easier - adults used to tease me relentlessly about being a perfectionist. School teachers used to moan at me because I would take longer with class work - if I for example made a spelling mistake at the end of a cromprehension test I would rip out the whole page & start writing it again (that 1 crossed out word would drive me crazy because to me my work didn't look perfect) where the other kids would simply cross it out and carry on. All that being said, there is no child that is perfect and edu psychologists or OT therapists try and empower children to overcome anything that might be hindering their potential - it doesn't mean there is "something wrong" with a child - or with an individuals parenting skills.

I have ADD myself, and without "drugs" as some parents love to call it, i wouldn't have been so successful in school. Having ADD or ADHD and NOT taking any kind of medication can have a negative affect on the child's learning progress. ADD/ADHD children have a hard time concentrating or are easily distracted and it affects their school work and how well they can learn, medication doesn't "change who a child is", it can help them (if given the right dosage and prescription) focus better and they'll absorb more from school. My personality NEVER changed b/c of my medication. Testing out different meds and the dosage can be hard for awhile, but it will definitely be worth it once you find the right ones. Most teachers want to HELP kids, NOT "drug" them for no reason, can a teacher EVER express worry about a child's behavior w/o parents thinking that he/she just doesn't want to deal w/ discipline!!! I'm not a teacher myself, my mom was though, and i can see through a teacher's perspective.

Hes 5...its normal for you to worry, but I feel that the public school system just wants the kids drugged and docile. Tantrums are pretty normal in an emotional, sensitive, energetic boy. I personally wouldnt bother with the test if I felt my son was fine. Go with your gut, and dont place faith in others simply bc they are an authoritive figure. A 5 year old can be rambunctious and have "tantrums" without having a medical condition. Good luck and love your little wild child for all your worth : )

I'm a mother of 4 ages ranging 15, 12, 6 and 9 months - I have 2 boys & 2 girls - so i would consider having a lot of experience in this regard. One of my sons has been disgnosed with ADD or ADHD as some people know it. At 5 years of age, I assure you it is to early to diagnose him - AND HE CERTAINLY CAN NOT BE DIAGNOSED IN SUCH A SHORT PERIOD OF SOMEONE GLANCING OVER IN HIS DIRECTION NOW AND THEN. It is a very difficult disease to diagnose accuratelty and takes several hours of intensive therapy sessions. At 5 years old your child could simply be copying another child he noticed somewhere. One of the main areas of concern with all ADHD children is the manner that the disease influences the school work and according to your last post this is not an issue. Children act out for different reasons or no reason at all - just enjoy evry minute with him their little personalities change all the time. GOOD LUCK :-)

I disagree w/ Katrab about public school systems wanting kids "drugged and docile" maybe a few schools, but very rarely. School systems and most teachers (especially of preschool and Kindergarten) are NOT stupid enough to think that 5 yr. olds don't have tantrums. The constant need for perfection (especially for a 5 yr. old) does sound like a symptom of OCD. And maybe his tantrums at school aren't just any "regular" tantrums, they could be more extreme than a 5 yr. old should be having. Yes, there are times where constant tantrums from a 5 yr. old SHOULD be noticed about. Ask if the school has an assessor that can test him for free, or ask if they know anybody that can test him for a reasonable price. It really WOULD NOT HURT to get him tested. I've seen SO many kids that obviously have something going on w/ them out of the ordinary, but parents think it's "normal" or a "phase", kids that don't get tested (but need to be), don't end up well in the long run.

There are too many "conditions" to explain normal variances in child behavior! Why can't your son operate somewhere outside the narrow bands of what someone has deemed "normal"? All of us struggle in some way or other ... why would children be any different? It sounds like your son is easily frustrated ... what is there to diagnose??? Do your best to teach him ways to cope when he doesn't immediately succeed ... you could even role play ... have him act out his behavior when his emotions are not involved, then show him ways to resolve his problem! Honestly, there are a thousand well-meaning child psychologists and behavior experts out there eager to say there is something wrong with your son who is most likely as normal as anyone else. If you let these people talk to you too much, before you know it, your boy will be in a special school and on prescription medication. As a mom, take charge of this situation and don't be afraid to rely on your instincts!

I agree with creating a plan with the teacher. My son had some behavior issues when he started kindergarten. The teacher was willing to try different situations and now he is doing very well. Each child is different and unique. If you aren't getting through to the teacher go to the principal and see if you can get any help that way. Its good to be on top of everything and its easier to help your son if you can do it now rather than waiting. He may or may not have ADD or OCD. I would try behavioral things first and see if you can hook him up with the school counselor or psychiatrist. Good luck!!

This Internet site provides information of a general nature and is designed for educational purposes only. If you have any concerns about your own health or the health of your child, you should always consult with a physician or other healthcare professional. Please review the Terms of Use before using this site. Your use of the site indicates your agreement to be bound by the Terms of Use.

This site is published by BabyCenter, L.L.C., which is responsible for its contents as further described and qualified in the Terms of Use.